CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Eastern Kentucky University softball team battled through day two of the NFCA Leadoff Classic with a split, dropping a hard-fought contest to Penn State before bouncing back with a victory over North Carolina Central on Saturday.
 
The Colonels (1–3, 0-0 ASUN) capitalized on a decisive two-run sixth inning, backed by stellar pitching, to secure the 3-1 victory.
 
GAME 1 - EKU 2, PSU 4
 
Penn State seized control early after EKU issued walks to the first two batters. Kaylie Walters opened the scoring on a throwing error by the Colonels, and later in the inning, Kirsten Finarelli singled to left field, plating Michela Barbanente to extend the lead.
 
The Nittany Lions tacked on another run in the bottom of the second when Cara Bohner drew a leadoff walk, advanced into scoring position, and came home on another throwing error. EKU made a pitching change, bringing in Victoria Byrum to replace starter Bayle Hunnicutt, and limited further damage by recording an out on the basepaths.
 
Penn State extended its lead in the bottom of the third when Big Ten All-Conference selection Brooke Klosowicz crushed a two-out home run deep to left field.
 
The Colonels struggled offensively, unable to record a hit until the top of the fourth. EKU finally broke through in the fifth when Jocelyn Owen singled to shallow right field. After a stolen base and a Penn State error, Kennedy Drafton drove in the Colonels' first run on a fielder's choice, plating Emily Mariscal and cutting the deficit to 4-1.
 
The Colonels kept the pressure on in the top of the sixth. Jada McLeod reached on a fielding error and swiped second base before Kaitlyn Wallis ripped a run-scoring triple to left field, bringing McLeod home and trimming the deficit to 4-2.
 
EKU's defense held firm in the bottom of the sixth, recording the third out with a runner in scoring position to keep the deficit at two. Penn State then closed out the game in the top of the seventh, retiring the Colonels in order.
 
McKenna Young picked up the win for Penn State, limiting EKU to one run on two hits across five innings with four strikeouts.
 
GAME 2 - EKU 3, NCCU 1
 
EKU jumped out early in the bottom of the first, as Drafton singled and stole second before Jaelin Haynes laid down a bunt double to put runners on second and third. After a strikeout, Lilly Davis lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing home Drafton to give the Colonels a 1-0 lead.
 
NCCU rallied at the top of the second, stringing together three hits after a leadoff out. Kendal Daniels and Janea Hudson opened the rally with back-to-back singles, and Hannah McGonigle drove in Daniels with an RBI single to left-center to tie the score at 1-1. The Eagles loaded the bases later in the frame but were held to one run.
 
Entering the third inning, Hunnicutt relieved Emma Bethel in the circle. The game remained tied through the next three innings before the Colonels broke through in the bottom of the sixth.
 
The Colonels' rally started in the bottom of the sixth when McLeod delivered a pinch-hit single to center field. Singles from Jordan Smith and Owen loaded the bases before Drafton brought home the go-ahead run on a groundout to second. Jaelin Haynes followed with an RBI single as Eastern Kentucky scored two runs to take a 3-1 lead.
 
Bayle Hunnicutt closed it out in the top of the seventh, striking out the final three batters to secure the Colonels' 3-1 victory.
 
NEXT UP
 
EKU closes out the weekend Sunday at 10 a.m. as the Colonels face Pitt (2-1), which is coming off a 7-9 loss to Michigan State.